Every site needs fantasy articles and courtesy of fantasy gurus NRL Supercoach Talk, their articles will now feature on our site. With in-depth analysis and guys who knows what they are talking about, these articles will help all budding and experienced supercoach players to succeed.

This particular article of theirs focuses on the promising players to keep an eye from a supercoach perspective for the NRL Auckland Nines competition coming up this weekend.

So, without further adieu, here is their article written by user Chestbrah is Gospel:

Brisbane Broncos

SQUAD: Andrew McCullough (captain), Ajuma Adams, Elijah Alick, Joe Boyce, Greg Eden, James Gavet, Alex Glenn, Todd Lowrie, Lachlan Maranta, Anthony Milford, Francis Molo, Darren Nicholls, Jayden Nikorima, Kodi Nikorima, Joe Ofahengaue, Tom Opacic, Matt Parcell, Aaron Whitchurch

ANALYSIS: Andrew McCullough will captain the nines squad, and is pushing to start 2015 as an 80 minute player like he did last year. However, I wouldn’t bet on it due to the presence of Bennett favourite Travis Waddell and the Nikorima brothers. The Nikorima Brothers are aiming for a utility spot off the bench. There are reports that Kodi is pretty much out of the race for the fullback spot at this stage, and instead focusing on a utility spot. Fullback contenders Greg Eden and Lachlan Maranta will get a chance to impress in the absence of Jordan Kahu, who in my opinion is the favourite so far. Anthony Milford is a popular selection for SC and will make his Nines debut. The format should suit his play.

Canberra Raiders

SQUAD: Sam Williams, Mitch Cornish, Jarrod Croker (c), Lachlan Croker, Sisa Waqa, Joel Edwards, Josh McCrone, Rhys Kennedy, Glen Buttriss, Brenko Lee, Bill Tupou, Jack Ahearn, Luke Bateman, Haydon Hodge, Mark Nicholls, Kyle O’Donnell, Tevita Pangai Jnr, Ken Nagas.

ANALYSIS: Sam Williams and Mitch Cornish will start to battle it out for the vacant halfback spot, assuming Blake Austin (who isn’t named for the nines) has already nailed down the five-eighth spot. 18-year old half Lachlan Croker has big wraps on him and is worth keeping an eye on, but most likely won’t play first grade this year. Tevita Pangai Jr apparently would have made his first grade debut last year if it wasn’t for 2nd tier salary cap constraints. The 18-year old is a giant and an outside chance of claiming a bench spot.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

SQUAD: Tim Browne, Damien Cook, Levi Dodd, Adam Elliott, Herman Ese’ese, Antonio Kaufusi, Shaun Lane, Michael Lichaa, Moses Mbye, Josh Morris, Sam Perrett, Lloyd Perrett, Tyrone Phillips, Frank Pritchard, Curtis Rona, Corey Thompson, Aiden Tolman, Tony Williams.

ANALYSIS: Michael Lichaa will make his Bulldogs debut. He is aiming to be an 80 minute player by round 1 but I highly doubt it given he played 45-55 minutes per game in NSW cup. Moses Mbye would be the frontrunner for a utility spot if Lichaa isn’t an 80 minute player by round 1. Tyrone Phillips, Sam Perrett, Corey Thompson and Curtis Rona have all been named. They will fight it out for 2 backline spots assuming that Josh Morris, Tim Lafai and Brett Morris are nailed on. Contrary to popular belief, I do not think Brett Morris will play fullback, and am hoping Tyrone Phillips jags a spot.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

SQUAD: Valentine Holmes, Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale, Ricky Leutele, Jack Bird, Nu Brown, Kyle Stanley, Sam Tagataese, Pat Politoni, Tinirau Arona, Matt Prior, Chris Heighington, Blake Ayshford, Nathan Gardner, Todd Murphy, Sami Sauiluma, Junior Roqica, Wade Graham (c), Saulala Houma

ANALYSIS: Popular rookie Jack Bird has been named for the nines and will be aiming to have a spot in the back line come round 1. His main competition Gerard Beale and Ricky Leutele have also been named. Kyle Stanley starts at rookie price in SuperCoach, but he would be relying on injuries to be playing in round 1.

Gold Coast Titans

SQUAD: Will Zillman, James Roberts, Anthony Don, David Mead, Josh Hoffman, Brad Tighe, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Aidan Sezer, Daniel Mortimer, Christian Hazard, Kierran Moseley, Ryan James, Mark Ioane, Luke Douglas, Lachlan Burr, Davin Crampton, Dave Taylor, Matt Robinson

ANALYSIS: Josh Hoffman has not been guaranteed the Titans no.1 jersey and will have to contend for it with William Zillman and David Mead, who have also been named. Potential rookies Christian Hazard and Kane Elgey have big wraps on them, but I can’t see them displacing incumbents Daniel Mortimer and Aidan Sezer who have been named as well. Popular pick Ryan James is definitely one to keep an eye on, as he looks to bounce back from an injury-filled season.

Manly Sea Eagles

SQUAD: Daly Cherry-Evans (c), Manaia Rudolph, Jayden Hodges, Brayden Wiliame, Tony Satini, Kieran Foran, Clinton Gutherson, Tom Trbojevic, Peta Hiku, Tom Symonds, Cheyse Blair, James Hasson, Feleti Mateo, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Josh Starling, Michael Chee Kam, Blake Leary, Dunamis Lui

ANALYSIS: There are rumours that a Kieran Foran transfer to the warriors will be announced, but it’s just speculation at this stage. Youngsters Clint Gutherson and Tom Trbojevic will get a run at the nines. Cheyse Blair is also in the mix for a CTW spot if the rumours are true that Steve Matai is on his way out. Feleti Mateo makes his Manly debut at the nines, and is priced reasonably for round 1 in SC. James Hasson, Michael Chee-Kam, Blake Leary and Dunamis Lui are competing for bench spots in the forward rotation. However, as we know from last year, it is unlikely that they will offer much Supercoach value even as cash cows.

Melbourne Storm

SQUAD: Young Tonumaipea, Kenny Bromwich, Will Chambers (c), Kurt Mann, Richie Kennar, Dayne Weston, Cameron Munster, Hymel Hunt, Tim Glasby, Marika Koroibete, Travis Robinson, Christian Welch, Ben Hampton, Billy Brittain, Francis Tualau, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Suliasi Vunivalu, Shaun Nona.

ANALYSIS: Shaun Nona and Ben Hampton are contenders for the five-eighth role this season, but Blake Green (who hasn’t been named for the nines) would have to be the favourite at this stage. Tohu Harris gets a chance to impress and offers plenty of upside in SC this year. There is even a chance he may kick goals if Smith misses the first few games of the regular season. Highly-rated rookie Nelson Asofa-Solomona is an outside chance of claiming a bench spot, and has been dubbed the next Sonny Bill.

Newcastle Knights

SQUAD: Sione Mata’utia, Jake Mamo, Dane Gagai, Chanel Mata’utia, Carlos Tuimavave, Jarrod Mullen (c), Tyrone Roberts, Pat Mata’utia, Adam Clydsdale, Paterika Vaivai, Tyler Randell, Chris Houston, Robbie Rochow, Nathan Ross, Korbin Sims, Joseph Tapine, Jack Stockwell, Danny Levi.

ANALYSIS: There is plenty of competition for backline spots with the Knights. Mata’utia brothers Chanel, Pat and Sione have all been named in addition to Jake Mamo and Carlos Tuimavave. James Mcmanus and Akuila Uate are also in the mix, but haven’t been named for the nines. Jarrod Mullen will play in the nines this year, despite injuring his hamstring there last year. Popular FRF selection Jack Stockwell is a good chance of starting in round 1 and gets a chance to cement his spot going forward from the Nines.

North Queensland Cowboys

SQUAD: Michael Morgan, Justin O’Neill, Tautau Moga, Kyle Feldt, Matthew Wright, Ray Thompson, Robert Lui, John Asiata, Rory Kostjasyn, Kelepi Tanginoa, Gavin Cooper (c), Ethan Lowe, Jason Taumalolo, Jake Granville, Zac Santo, Coen Hess, Javid Bowen, Ben Spina

ANALYSIS: Lachlan Coote apparently ‘lost his passport’ and won’t make it there this year (I have my doubts). Plenty of backline competition starting with the 9s as Justin O’Neill, Tautau Moga, Matthew Wright, Kyle Feldt, Zac Santo and Javid Bowen are all named. Jake Granville gets an opportunity at hooker, but Rory Kostjasyn and Ray Thompson are also there. Keep an eye on rookie giant Coen Hess.

St.George-Illawarra Dragons

SQUAD: Euan Aitken, Mike Cooper, Shannon Crook, Josh Dugan, Tyson Frizell, Craig Garvey, Nathan Green, Yaw Kiti Glymin, Beau Henry, Dan Hunt, Benji Marshall (c), Peter Mata’utia, Will Matthews, Eto Nabuli, Jason Nightingale, Adam Quinlan, Joel Thompson, Shannon Wakeman.

ANALYSIS: Euan Aitken is a popular cheapie and has been named for the 9s. Fellow backline contenders Peter Mata’utia and Eto Nabuli also have a chance to stake their claim. Shannon Wakeman is a good chance of claiming a spot in the Dragon’s FRF rotation in round 1, but is named in the 2RF in SC.

Parramatta Eels

SQUAD: Bureta Faraimo, Semi Radradra, John Folau, Brad Takairangi, Reece Robinson, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow (c), Junior Paulo, Kaysa Pritchard, Peni Terepo, Manu Ma’u, Tepai Moeroa, Joseph Paulo, David Gower, Kenny Edwards, Halauafu Lavaka, Pauli Pauli, Luke Kelly

ANALYSIS: The Eels have conveniently named their side in what appears to be by position. Will Hopoate is expected to play fullback this season and was name in the 1 jersey for the nines, however he has just withdrawn today with a groin injury. He played most of his junior footy there and was a fantasy weapon playing wing and FB at Manly. Chris Sandow will captain the Nines squad. Laugh if you must, but he will be the biggest beneficiary of the new kick and regather points and the Eels should lean on him more in the absence of Hayne. John Folau has been named in the 3 jersey and appears to be an outside chance of snaring a backline spot, but faces stiff competition from the likes of Champion, Morgan and Toutai as well as others who are not playing in the Nines.

Sydney Roosters

SQUAD: Mitchell Aubusson, Brendan Elliot, Kane Evans, Jackson Hastings, Samisoni Langi, Nene Macdonald, James Maloney, Willie Manu, Sam Moa, Taane Milne, Dylan Napa, Mitchell Pearce (c), Lagi Setu, Nathan Stapleton, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (c), Mitchell Williams

ANALYSIS: Star halves pairing Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney will be playing in the Nines, giving us an early scouting opportunity. Maloney is in a contract year so there may be pressure on him to perform in the season ahead. We should get a glimpse of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in his new fullback role, assuming he gets first crack.

Penrith Panthers

SQUAD: Brendan Attwood, Christian Crichton, Joshua Jay, Isaac John, Apisai Koroisau, Kieran Moss, Andy Aunders, Nathan Smith, Tupou Sopoaga, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Adrian Davis, George Jennings, Kevin Kingston, Sika Manu, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Chris Smith, Will Smith, Isaah Yeo.

ANALYSIS: Not much doing for the Panthers as Ivan has rested several key players, but still a few to keep an eye on. George Jennings and Isaah Yeo are candidates for a centre spot that may be vacant in round 1 due to Idris’ injury. Waqa Blake is a contender for this role as well but he has not been named for the nines. Api Koroisau gets an opportunity to make his claim for a place in the 17, as James Segeyaro has not been named.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

SQUAD: Joel Reddy, Bryson Goodwin, Dylan Walker, Matt King, Chris McQueen, Issac Luke (c), Adam Reynolds, George Burgess, Angus Crichton, Ben Lowe, Jason Clark, Tom Hughes, David Tyrrell, Aaron Gray, Kyle Turner, Cameron McInnes, Chris Grevsmuhl, Setefano Taukafa.

ANALYSIS: Bryson Goodwin, Joel Reddy and rookie Aaron Gray are presumed to battle it out for a backline spot left vacant by Kirisome Auva’a. Highly rated rookie forward Chris Grevsmuhl will be pushing for a bench spot.

New Zealand Warriors

SQUAD: Shaun Johnson (c), Matthew Allwood, Nathan Friend, Ben Henry, Ryan Hoffman, Solomone Kata, Ngani Laumape, Sam Lisone, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sione Lousi, Suaia Matagi, Ben Matulino, Ken Maumalo, Nathaniel Roache, Bodene Thompson, Sam Tomkins, Chad Townsend, Manu Vatuvei.

ANALYSIS: SC gun Shaun Johnson will be hoping for another huge performance at the 9s to start the year. Solomone Kata is a chance of playing in the centres round 1 if Konrad Hurrell is not fit in time. Tuimoala Lolohea is breathing down Chad Townsend’s neck as both players battle it out for the 5/8th spot.

Wests Tigers

SQUAD: Sitaleki Akauola, Nathan Brown, Jack Buchanan, Manaia Cherrington, Josh Drinkwater, Asipeli Fine, Salesi Funaki, Delouise Hoeter, Chris Lawrence (c), Lamar Liolevave, Kyle Lovett, Joel Luani, Kevin Naiqama, Pat Richards, Brenden Santi, Ava Seumanufagai, Tim Simona, Sauaso Sue

ANALYSIS: Kevin Naiqama is hoping to finally earn a first grade spot at his 3rd club in 3 years, and will get a run at the Nines. Tim Simona offers some upside in SC as a bounce-back candidate this year. Junior Kiwi rep Lamar Liolevave is pushing for a spot in the Tigers’ back row rotation.

By ricky

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